2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior was a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery clashing with low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier models were upgrades of a commodity car rather than premium products.

In contrast, the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport boasted a stylish SUV coupe look, thanks to its shorter length and lower height compared to the larger Atlas. The SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package featured impressive 21-inch wheels and optional Pure Gray paint, giving it a custom appearance. Inside, the Atlas Cross Sport's interior looked appealing at first glance, especially with its Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme. However, closer inspection revealed hard plastics, though the design and materials in high-contact areas were well-executed, complemented by ambient lighting.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V, offering a quick response, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were excellent, with nimble handling and a firm yet comfortable chassis. Its lightweight design contributed to impressive fuel economy, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid was also introduced for those seeking even higher fuel efficiency.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter turbo engine, delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, but its 4,103-pound curb weight made the optional 3.6-liter V6 engine more appealing. The V6 produced 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, providing a sprightly feel in daily driving. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the Atlas offered an optional 4Motion AWD system with Active Control traction settings. The Atlas Cross Sport's performance was adequate, though it lacked the refinement of a mild-hybrid turbocharged V6. It was rated at 19 mpg combined, with a real-world average of 18.7 mpg.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its cabin was roomy, offering excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Clever storage solutions, like the deep center console and two-position load floor, made it easy to stow items and maximize cargo space. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V provided 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space, matching the Volkswagen Tiguan despite being shorter in length.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, though smaller than the Atlas, felt spacious inside. The front seats were large, heated, and ventilated, with numerous power adjustments. The second row comfortably accommodated three children or two adults with ample legroom and headroom. The dual-zone automatic climate control system struggled in direct sunlight, but storage space was plentiful, with a large center console and various compartments. The Atlas Cross Sport offered 40.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 77.8 cubic feet with them folded down.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim and a 7-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were only available with the larger screen. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, with two in the front and two high-powered ones in the backseat. The Touring trim added a wireless phone charger.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport featured three infotainment systems, with the top-trim test vehicle boasting an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display. The system supported two Bluetooth device pairings and included Car-Net connected services, WiFi, and a 12-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, it lacked a natural voice recognition system, requiring users to rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the "Honda Sensing" system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with the Touring trim's LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including an automatic post-collision braking system. The SEL Premium R-Line trim included advanced driving assistance systems like road-sign recognition and Traffic Jam Assist. The Lane Assist system prevented lane changes when another vehicle was in the blind spot, and the rear cross-traffic alert system included automatic emergency braking. Crash-test results for the Atlas Cross Sport were not available, but the larger Atlas performed well in safety tests.